A groundbreaking achievement was made Tuesday morning when a team of Chinese and Russian university students successfully launched their first joint microsatellite from Blagoveshchensk, Russia. This successful deployment marks a significant milestone in international academic collaboration.
Weighing approximately 15.7 kilograms, the CubeSat is designed to verify micro-nano satellite technology, support amateur radio experiments, and enhance space science education. The project, led by the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), brings together the expertise and resources of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Amur State University, and Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
Deputy Director Cao Jian from HIT's International Cooperation Department highlighted the project's emphasis on student involvement, stating that over 50 students, mostly undergraduates, contributed to various stages of the satellite's development. The student team enjoyed substantial independence in managing the project, supported by university resources and expert faculty advisors.
\"The school provided us with an experienced team of faculty advisors, ample experimental resources, research and development funding, and granted our student team full autonomy over technical decisions, command, and management,\" explained Zhang Jiyao, a doctoral student at HIT's School of Astronautics.
Fang Kangbo, an undergraduate at the School of Electronic and Information Technology, shared his excitement about the hands-on experience the project provided. \"Standing at the launch site, counting down to liftoff, I felt like the theories I'd learned in class were coming to life,\" said Fang. He emphasized the importance of the communication system in ensuring the satellite's successful deployment and operation.
This initiative not only advances technological capabilities but also promotes higher education cooperation and cultural exchange between the youth of China and Russia, setting a precedent for future collaborative endeavors in space exploration.
Reference(s):
First microsatellite by Chinese, Russian university students launched
cgtn.com
